Utah Tuesday: Notes

The Trojans hit the practice field on a cool October night to prepare for their Pac-12 South battle against Utah.

USC head coach Clay Helton announced that freshman DT Marlon Tuipulotu underwent season-ending back surgery and will apply for a medical redshirt. He also said that OG Viane Talamaivao had successful surgery on his torn pectoral muscle, which will end his USC career. Full injury report: LB Jordan Iosefa (concussion), WR Jalen Greene (concussion) OT Chuma Edoga (ankle), LB Porter Gustin (toe, bicep), RB Stephen Carr (foot), TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe (quad).

Talamaivao's injury gave freshman OL Andrew Vorhees the first start of his career on Saturday. Though he played tackle in high school, he's embraced the move to guard at USC. "I mean, football's football," he said. "It's a fun game, I like to be out there. So wherever they can find me a spot, I'll accept my role."

Vorhees was proud of the o-line's work in opening up holes for the run game on Saturday, but acknowledged they could improve. "I think we just need to establish ourselves and create an identity up front," he said. We've been doing a good job with that. With [Ronald Jones II] back and healthy, it really helps us out a lot."

Vorhees and the rest of USC's offensive line will face a steep challenge in Utah's defensive line this weekend. Helton called the unit "by far the largest defensive front that we'll face," characterizing each of Utah's four defensive linemen as over 300 pounds. He also called Sunia Tauteoli and Kavika Luafatasaga the best linebacker tandem USC has faced thus far.

Helton and the players all acknowledged the Pac-12 implications of this game, as USC and Utah currently sit at No. 1 and No. 2 in the Pac-12 South, respectively. He evoked USC's loss to Utah last year, explaining, "This is the game that held us out of playing for a Pac-12 title. To lose that game last year in the last 16 seconds was heartbreaking for our football team, but I thought really set the tone for the rest of the season."

Last year's Utah game was the first start of USC QB Sam Darnold's career. Though he took the loss — one of just two in his tenure — he threw for 253 yards, rushed for 41 and scored a rush TD, giving the Trojans the "spark" they were looking for. "I'd like to beat Utah, just because I haven't before," Darnold (pictured) admitted.

Helton has confidence that Darnold will have success in his second go-around against the Utes. "Even from a personnel standpoint when you know their personnel and personnel matchups — this is the second year in a row that we've seen Utah in more of a four down scheme," Helton said. "[Darnold]'s done a terrific job of learning as he goes. He's 14-2 as a starter. Here he comes up against Utah again, an opponent he's seen before, and he knows it's going to be a challenge."

Helton closed out his press conference by wishing Gary Andersen, who stepped down as Oregon State's head coach this week, the best in his future endeavors.

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